Those of us who follow Jesus Christ today do so by faith as we learn about Him from the Bible. It might have been easier to follow Jesus in His actual presence, but I don’t think so. Nothing about the disciples suggests they had any advantage over us. Nor did any of the people who heard Him teach, watched His miracles, experienced the unnatural events of His crucifixion, or encountered Him personally after His resurrection. Many of them simply wondered, discussed, disbelieved, and moved on.

The primary influence that makes a difference in any of our lives is the Person referred to in the Bible as The Holy Spirit. That “person” is God in spiritual form. He works with us, and within us, largely through conviction, inspiration, encouragement, wisdom, gifting, and so on.

Trace the flow of John’s gospel through chapter fourteen and you find discouraged men. Jesus will be leaving them, yet He urges them not to worry. The Father won’t leave you orphaned, without a Guide, Teacher, or Protector. He’ll send Someone just like Me to take My place. That “Someone” is the Holy Spirit, and He’s always with those who believe in Jesus Christ. He’s listening, enlightening, convicting, prompting, and more (John 14:16-31).

The Holy Spirit is more important to our daily experience than we might think. Think of Him as Jesus’ presence at all times. Tell Him what you think, and ask Him for help. That’s why He’s called The Helper.

Also, take a month and read through The Gospel of John a few times. See if it doesn’t help you follow Jesus.